Apparatus for gymnastic abdominal exercises

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for gymnastic abdominal exercise comprising a base ( 1 ) and supporting means ( 2 ) for the user&#39;s legs. Base ( 1 ) comprises at least one suction cup ( 3 ) for attaching said apparatus to a smooth surface and supporting means ( 2 ) comprise holding elements ( 4 ) for firmly holding the user&#39;s legs.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a United States National Phase application ofInternational Application PCT/ES2010/070485 and claims the benefit ofpriority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Spanish Patent Application No.P200901598 filed Jul. 16, 2009, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the sector of apparatuses intended forexercising abdominal muscles in a correct way.

In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus for gymnasticabdominal exercises comprising a base and supporting means for theuser's legs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Abdominal muscles stretch out from the bottom part of the ribs to thetop of the pelvis, protecting the internal organs. However theirfunctions go further, as in co-ordination with the paravertebral musclesof the back and the psoas muscle of the hip, they help to keep the spinestraight.

The abdominal muscles together with these hip and back muscles form anucleus where the body's center of gravity lies. Most of the routinemovements we make repetitively every day stem from this nucleus. Astrong nucleus leads to greater strength, stability and balance and alsoprevents injuries, particularly due to muscles overloading.

Generally, the abdominal muscles are usually weak in comparison with thelumbar muscles. This is because the lumbar muscles are exercisedinvoluntarily just by standing up. However the abdominal muscles need tobe exercised voluntarily with specific exercises. This maladjustmentcauses decompensation in the pelvic area which often ends up inhyperlordosis, an abnormal curving of the back, and its dangerousresulting consequences (painful sciatic nerve, spondylolisis, etc.).

Going beyond aesthetical criteria, abdominal muscles must be exercisedregularly in order to maintain correct body alignment and to compensatenatural spine imbalance as the years go by.

There is plenty of literature on the most recommended exercises forstrengthening abdominal muscles. However, many of the most usedexercises, in addition to not achieving the desired effect, also causeinjuries, particularly in the back.

It is important to remember that healthy muscles, in physiologicalterms, balance the abdominal muscles with the back and hip muscles. Themore intensely somebody practices sport, the more necessary it will beto exercise the abdominal muscles in order to compensate maladjustments.

Generally, and unless there are specific medical counter indications forcertain individuals with specific ailments, it is important to highlightthe following aspects which should be taken into account to increaseperformance and reduce the risk of injury when doing abdominalexercises: start from the ideal or neutral position, which is lying onthe back. Head relaxed so as not to force the neck muscles, the chinseparated from the body and hands at the height of the back of the neck.This is called the supine position. The back rests in a relaxed state onthe mat. The knees are bent to prevent the lumbar region from arching.Then, with the knees bent, the top part of the torso is lifted to amaximum of 30°. From this inclined position, the spine does not bend anyfurther and the hip (iliopsoas) and pelvis flexing muscles are requiredfor the lift. Exceeding the limit of 30° implies considerably increasingthe risk of injury and not obtaining the intended aim. Finally, thetorso is kept in a raised position and is let down slowly.

It is advisable to carry out no more than three or four series, with amaximum of twenty to thirty repetitions in each series. It is worthhighlighting that in order to exercise the abdominal muscles in aphysiologically healthy way, it is not advisable to strain the psoasmuscles (hip) as the drawbacks outweigh the benefits. Therefore, it isnot advisable to carry out series with too many repetitions as thisintroduces rebounds and impulses that reduce effectiveness.

In the state of the art, there are three usual ways of doing abdominalexercises.

Exercising in pairs. Where one holds and the other does the exercise andvice versa. However, a partner is not always available, particularly athome. Also, it is difficult for the partner to counteract the body massof the person doing the exercise and so their legs can easily move. Thistask becomes more complicated when the exercise has to be done with thelegs in the air.

Stall bar. Very few people can have this apparatus at home. But in theevent it is possible, or for example, for those who use a gym, the stallbar is more of a difficulty than an advantage. This is because the legmuscles, starting with the muscles in the feet, tibialis, peroneus,triceps surae and quadriceps, and ending with the actual psoas muscles,are under great tension because they must keep the feet fitted betweenthe wooden bars. The effort is such after the second series, that thetension is concentrated more in that area than in the area of the actualabdominal muscles.

Abdominal benches. These have been used for a long time, and willcontinue to be used, but they have two problems, particularly for thosepeople with back problems. First of all, the legs are held such thatthey are under the pelvis. Secondly, they are intended more for sit upexercises than for crunch exercises. It is worth remembering that forhealthy, effective exercise the spine only has to curve up to 30°.

Moreover, it is worth highlighting that doing exercises to strengthenthe abdominal muscles, with the aim of maintaining a balanced muscularstructure and particularly for therapeutic purposes, requires regularityrather than intensity. In other words, it is more effective andbeneficial to do a few abdominal exercise series regularly than to do alarge number of series on a non-regular basis. Some people do hundredsof repetitions and introduce rebounds that involve other non-desiredmuscle groups, and reduce the effectiveness. This leads to the need foran apparatus that as well as allowing the user to do exercises in aphysiologically correct manner, can be transported simply, and usedanywhere.

Document U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,702 A discloses a sit-up device havingsubstantially the capability to support all types of sit-up exercises isdisclosed. The device comprises a mounting base generally for thepurpose of securing it to a fixture during use. Another aspect of thedevice is the adjustable section used to control the horizontal andvertical position of the feet restraining bar. When installed for use,the feet restraining bar remains parallel with the floor. Theadjustability is produced by sliding motions between a lever and a basemember which allows for greater vertical and horizontal adjustments.Hence the device can support all types of sit-up exercises postures. Themounting base of this device can be secured to any flat surface such asa door structure, house-hold and office furniture, smooth concrete, woodor metallic surfaces.

Document U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,434 A discloses an apparatus as an aidwhile performing bent knee sit-ups, comprising, in combination a strapof material adapted to extend and be positioned over the ankles of aperson doing bent knee sit-ups, when in a deployed orientation, butadapted to be rolled up when in a storage orientation; a pair ofassemblies, each assembly having a hollow base in a rectangularconfiguration with a slot within the upper surface for the passage ofone end of the strap, each base having a circular hole for the passageof a fixed plug, each base having a cylindrical tube rotatively securedaround the plug with a spring secured at one end of the plug and securedat the other end to the interior of the tube, and with one end of thestrap secured to the exterior surface of the tube wherein the ends ofthe strap may be coiled about the tube when the spring is released andthe assemblies in close proximity to each other when in a storageorientation, but wherein the assemblies may be spread apart to extendthe strap to the deployed orientation with the springs in a tensionstate; and securement means adapted to secure the assemblies to asurface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the invention is to provide an apparatus for gymnasticabdominal exercises that facilitates doing abdominal exercises in aphysiologically optimum way, reducing as much as possible any effortthat is not aimed at directly strengthening the abdominal muscles andwhich at the same time is compact, lightweight, transportable and allowsthe user to do the exercises anywhere. This purpose is achieved by meansof an apparatus for gymnastic abdominal exercise of the type indicatedat the beginning, wherein a base comprises at least one suction cup forattaching the apparatus to a smooth surface, and a supporting meanscomprises holding elements for firmly holding the user's legs betweenthe supporting means and the holding elements, separated from thesurface.

The suction cup ensures that the apparatus according to the inventioncan be attached to any smooth surface. This is important because, asalready mentioned, strengthening the abdominal muscles in aphysiologically healthy way, requires doing the exercises regularly. Inother words, the suction cup allows the user to attach the apparatus toany smooth surface, so that the user can install it anywhere he needsto. Therefore, the user does not have to have various apparatusesinstalled on a fixed basis in the different areas where he wants to dothe exercises.

Furthermore, the suction cup or cups have the additional advantagewhereby by allowing the apparatus to be transportable, they reduce theweight of the apparatus as much as possible, without thereby losingversatility with respect to its attachment. Any alternative lightweightattachment system would always require some kind of previousinstallation. Alternatively, the base could be heavy enough tocounteract the upward force produced by the user as he comes down whenexercising. However, this would automatically increase the weight of theapparatus and would compromise its transportability.

Moreover, the leg holding elements facilitate doing the exercises in aparticularly effective and physiologically optimum way. The knownapparatuses of the state of the art that do not guarantee holding thelegs firmly, reduce the effectiveness of the exercises. This is due tothe fact that the user must compensate the movement of the center of thebody mass when lifting and lowering with corrective movements using thelegs, that reduce the real effort made directly on the abdominal areaand therefore, prevent taking advantage of the exercise in an optimalmanner.

Preferably the suction cup comprises vacuum production means forremoving the air contained between the suction cup and the smoothsurface. This facilitates assembling and particularly dismantling theapparatus. In the invention, the active vacuum production means refer toany way of producing the vacuum in the suction cup, that does notconsist in compressing it manually against a surface. In the case ofsuction cups that work simply via compression against the floor, it maybe difficult to dismantle the apparatus from the surface on which it isassembled and a strength may be necessary that certain users may not beable to exercise.

Preferably each of the holding elements comprise bands of adjustablelength for accommodating and holding the user's legs in the ankle areaand particularly preferably, the bands hold the user's ankles above theuser's ankle joint. The bands have the advantage of being comfortablefor the user, but it is particularly advantageous that the user's legsare held by the ankle area, so that when doing the exercise, the userdoes not have to use strength to compensate any possible relativemovement between the foot and leg. This makes it possible to concentratethe effort in an even more optimal manner on the abdominal area.

Preferably the bands are rotatably mounted around the longitudinaldirection of the supporting means, so as to increase the comfort of theapparatus when holding the ankle area.

Preferably the apparatus comprises means for adjusting the height of thesupporting means with respect to the floor, in order to give theapparatus versatility and make it possible to do exercises with the legsin different positions.

In a particularly preferable manner, the height between the floor andthe supporting point of the user's legs on the holding elements isadjustable by means of the adjustment means in a range of 10 to 65 cm.This guarantees that the legs remain held at a height above the pelvis,and improves the quality of the exercises performed.

Preferably the supporting means and the base can be disassembled fromeach other.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses,reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter inwhich preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the apparatus for gymnastic abdominal exerciseaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view along one of the apparatussupporting means;

FIG. 3A is a side view of a first way of using the apparatus accordingto the invention;

FIG. 3B is another side view of the first way of using the apparatusaccording to the invention;

FIG. 4A is a side view of a second way of using the apparatus accordingto the invention; and

FIG. 4B is another side view of the second way of using the apparatusaccording to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the apparatus for gymnastic abdominal exerciseaccording to the invention mainly comprises a base 1 for supporting theapparatus on the floor 5 and supporting means 2 for the user's legs.When the apparatus for doing the exercises is assembled, the supportingmeans are firmly joined to the base to prevent significant relativemovements of the legs with respect to the floor.

The apparatus can be attached to a smooth surface by means of twosuction cups 3 or vacuum cups. Preferably, suction cups 3 comprisereversible vacuum production means 6 in the form of an action lever thatacts on the respective suction cup. These levers make it possible toremove the air under corresponding suction cup 3 by tilting the lever orletting the air enter so that the apparatus can be dismantled in asimple way for the user. In a more basic embodiment, suction cups 3, canbe simple suction cups that adhere when the apparatus is compressedagainst the floor and that do not have specific means for removing thevacuum created. In an alternative, more sophisticated embodiment, theapparatus could also include, for example, a mechanically driven suctionpump. It is also important to highlight that the number of suction cups3 can vary according to the configuration. So, optionally, an apparatuswith one single suction cup or with more than two is conceivable.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, supporting means 2 for the legscomprise a horizontal support 7 like a cylindrical cross section bar.FIG. 2 shows in greater detail the configuration of supporting means 2also comprising holding elements 4 for firmly holding the user's legs.At each of its ends horizontal support 7 has a cushion 8 on which theuser can comfortably rest his legs, and in particular the ankle area. Atits external end, horizontal support 7 has a bushing 10 joined tohorizontal support 7, for example, by means of a thread screwed onto itsinner diameter. Bushing 10 also has a retention disk 11 that preventscushions 8 from coming out of support 7. Moreover, thanks to bushing 10cushions 8 can be disassembled to be changed in the event of excessivewear through use.

Holding elements 4, are, in this case, bands 14 of adjustable length foraccommodating and holding the user's legs by the ankle area. As can beseen in FIG. 2 the first end 12 of band 14 is joined via a clamp 16 to ashaft 11 that is threaded as one piece with bushing 10. So, band 14 canrotate freely with respect to horizontal support 7. Second end 13 isjoined to horizontal support 7 by ring 15, and freely rotatable withrespect to horizontal support 7. This way each band 14 can rotate freelyby its ends 12, 13 around the longitudinal direction defined byhorizontal support 7 of supporting means 2.

Moreover, bands 14 have corresponding strips 21 of Velcro® that allowtheir length to be adjusted when attaching the user's ankles tosupporting means 2.

FIG. 1 also shows that supporting means 2 are joined to base 1 by avertical telescopic support 9. The height of vertical support 9 withrespect to the floor can be regulated by adjustment means 18. Preferablythe height between floor 5 and supporting point 17 can be adjusted in arange of 10 to 65 cm. This way, any user can do exercises with thetibia-fibula group arranged in a horizontal position, according to FIGS.3A and 3B, or in an acute angle position according to FIGS. 4A and 4B.As can be seen in the Figures, supporting point 17, moves around theperimeter of cushions 8 as the acute angle between the tibia and floor 5increases.

FIG. 1 also shows that the apparatus according to the invention can bedisassembled in parts so that it can be transported more comfortably. Inparticular, between base 1 and vertical support 9 a first dismountablejoint 19 is provided, while between vertical support 9 and horizontalsupport 7 a second dismountable joint 20 is provided. This first andsecond dismountable joints 19, 20 can be, for example, a pin with aspring or a screwed articulation.

Below, on the basis of FIGS. 3A to 4B the operation and advantages ofthe invention are explained in more detail.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show how in order to do the exercises in aphysiologically optimum way, the user starts in the supine positionshown in FIG. 3A, in other words, lying face upwards, while the back andhead rest fully supported on floor 5. The hands must be at the height ofthe neck but without holding it. The user bends his knees at an angle αof preferably approximately 45° and the legs rest on cushions 8 ofsupporting means 2 in the ankle area, with the tibia and fibula in ahorizontal position. In turn, band 14 holds each ankle to prevent itfrom moving either vertically or sideways during the exercise. This is anotable advantage in the invention because it ensures that no uselesseffort is made to compensate the imbalance in the center of gravity whenlifting or any relative movement between the ankle and leg.

From this resting position the contraction known as “crunch” begins,which consists in lifting the top part of the torso to an angle β ofapproximately 30°, directing the head towards the knees, but not up tothe knees. In this position, the user must maintain the contraction fora few moments and then come down slowly. So, a repetition consists of 3differentiated stages: lifting stage, contraction stage and finally thelowering stage.

During the first lifting stage, the torso is bent towards the knees andso the legs push against the floor. At this point, the user's legs finda stable support on supporting means 2 and particularly on cushions 8which facilitate the movement.

Once in the position of maximum contraction is reached, the user musthold the position for a few moments, as shown in FIG. 3B. Without theinertia of the lift and with the center of gravity altered, in thissecond stage the whole body tends to fall down. This must be compensatedby forcing a new distribution of weight towards the legs, using the hipmuscles. Thanks to bands 14, the legs have no vertical movement. Thetorso does not fall down and the user can hold the contraction at 30°,concentrating the force totally in the abdominal muscles. This makes theexercise much more intense and effective with the same number ofrepetitions. At this point it is worth highlighting that thanks to thefact that bands 14 hold the legs in the ankle area, instead of on thefeet, the user does not have to make any effort to compensate the anklearticulation, which would jeopardize the effectiveness of the exercise,and which is particularly advantageous with respect to other apparatusesknown in the state of the art, where at the most, it is the feet thatare held.

Finally, the user lowers, which is just as important as the lift orcontraction. This third stage tends to be omitted because of thedifficulty implied in keeping the tension in the abdominal area whilethe whole body balances towards the torso. The imbalance causes asudden, and therefore sterile lowering. It is important to lower slowly,also concentrating the force on the abdominal muscles until the shoulderblades are again resting on the floor. Again bands 14 firmly hold theuser's legs so that the user can perform the exercise in aphysiologically optimum way, in other words, lowering slowly and makingthe most of the exercise.

Therefore, thanks to the apparatus according to the invention it is alsopossible to intensify resistance during the lowering, making the most ofeach repetition.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show an alternative way of doing the abdominal exercise,where the difference with the previous example consists in the positionof the tibia and fibula with respect to the floor 5. In this case,supporting means 2 are in a lower position, so that the tibia-fibula setforms an acute angle with respect to the floor. Thanks to the fact thatbands 14 are rotatably mounted around the longitudinal direction ofsupporting means 2, the user can do the exercise without causing harmfultension on the ankles. FIGS. 4A, 4B show how bands 14 form approximatelya right angle with the longitudinal direction of the tibia and fibula.

The reasoning set out above is reinforced further when it is desired toincrease the intensity of the exercise, for example, with weights. If acertain weight is held in the hands to intensify the execution of thecrunch, the center of gravity moves towards the area of the neck, andwithout the legs being held, this movement must be corrected in someway, for example, by stretching the legs or looking for a compromisedpoint of balance with the back, which is very uncomfortable and can beharmful to lumbar health. By contrast in the invention, firmly holdingthe user's ankle area guarantees being able to do the exercise in aphysiologically optimum, effective way.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the principles ofthe invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

1. An apparatus for gymnastic abdominal exercise, the apparatuscomprising: a base; and a supporting means for a user's legs, said basecomprising at least one suction cup for attaching said apparatus to asmooth surface, said supporting means comprising holding elements forfirmly holding the user's legs between said supporting means and saidholding elements, separated from the surface.
 2. An apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein said suction cup comprises vacuum production meansfor removing the air contained between said suction cup and said smoothsurface.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of saidholding elements comprise bands of adjustable length for accommodatingand holding the user's legs in the ankle area.
 4. An apparatus accordingto claim 3, wherein said bands are rotatably mounted around thelongitudinal direction of said supporting means.
 5. An apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein said bands hold the user's ankle areaabove the user's ankle joint.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising: adjustment means for adjusting the height of saidsupporting means with respect to the floor.
 7. An apparatus according toclaim 6, wherein the height between the floor and the supporting pointof the user's legs on said holding elements is adjustable by means ofsaid adjustment means in a range of 10 to 65 cm.
 8. An apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said supporting means and said base can bedisassembled from each other.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 2,wherein each of said holding elements comprise bands of adjustablelength for accommodating and holding the user's legs in the ankle area.10. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said bands hold theuser's ankle area above the user's ankle joint.
 11. An apparatusaccording to claim 2, further comprising: adjustment means for adjustingthe height of said supporting means with respect to the floor.
 12. Anapparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: adjustment means foradjusting the height of said supporting means with respect to the floor.13. An apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: adjustmentmeans for adjusting the height of said supporting means with respect tothe floor.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:adjustment means for adjusting the height of said supporting means withrespect to the floor.
 15. An apparatus according to claim 2, whereinsaid supporting means and said base can be disassembled from each other.16. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said supporting means andsaid base can be disassembled from each other.
 17. An apparatusaccording to claim 4, wherein said supporting means and said base can bedisassembled from each other.
 18. An apparatus according to claim 5,wherein said supporting means and said base can be disassembled fromeach other.
 19. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein saidsupporting means and said base can be disassembled from each other. 20.An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said supporting means andsaid base can be disassembled from each other.